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St. George's Catholic School

Modern Foreign Languages

Language is the road map of a culture, it tells you where its people come from and where they are going’

Rita Mae Brown  

Our vision in the MFL Department is that languages will take you further and beyond in life, improving your cognitive abilities and literacy skills. Therefore, students should explore possibilities beyond frontiers, and this is achievable through breaking language and cultural barriers.

Although we can only introduce them to Spanish and French language and culture, we take every opportunity to encourage debate about other languages and cultures in an interactive way as part of an enjoyable learning experience. Knowledge of culture is essential in our conception of language learning. We promote intercultural and interlinguistic discussion and contrastive analysis at all Key Stages.

In MFL, we are committed to this vision, and through our department, St George’s School has been awarded the International School Award Foundation Certificate: Introducing Internationalism (British Council).

British Council International Award Foundation Letter

MFL Curriculum

We offer both French and Spanish from Year 7 to Year 13. In Years 7 and 8, half of the students study French and the other half study Spanish. Normally, at the end of Year 9, students opt to take either French or Spanish for their GCSE.

We provide a broad MFL curriculum that is connected to other subject areas, with variable routes through the Key Stages to allow students to maximise their attainment by developing the skills and talents they already possess. We understand the importance of a spiral curriculum: thematic content and linguistic progression are connected from bottom to top and top to bottom.

Our MFL curriculum has been designed to give students the knowledge, understanding, and skills to progress to the next stage of their education, irrespective of their prior attainment, background, or ethnicity. Nonetheless, we also take into account the relevance of languages in the world and how they serve as a means of unifying cultures through awareness of common values. We have included explicit reference to each cultural area in our Schemes of Work.

Want to find out more? 
If you wish to find out more about Modern Foreign Languages at St George’s please feel free to contact Ms. S Redondo at S.Redondo@stgeorgesrc.org

KS3

Students of Spanish or French have two one-hour lessons per week. The department follows the National Curriculum for MFL, with a special focus on improving students’ general language skills and developing their enthusiasm for discovering other cultures.

Our KS3 curriculum provides a coherent three-year learning journey in Spanish and French, designed to equip students with the phonics, grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills required for success at GCSE. These elements are taught systematically, revisited regularly, and developed progressively.

Each lesson includes an explicit focus on sound–spelling correspondence, grammatical structures, and high-frequency vocabulary, alongside opportunities for spontaneous communication and cultural reflection.

By the end of Year 9, our students can understand, express, and develop their ideas across a range of topic areas, such as personal information and local area, home, school, holidays, French- and Spanish-speaking countries, the workplace, shopping, free time, and leisure pursuits.

We also provide KS3 extra support once a week on Tuesday, period 6.

Our curriculum has been designed in response to the Ofsted Research Review into Languages (2021) and incorporates the latest Government research in Modern Languages. We have strengthened the importance of grammar, vocabulary, and phonics in lesson delivery and assessments, ensuring a smooth transition into the AQA GCSE specification.

Preparing for the New MFL French & Spanish Exams

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9): Building Strong Foundations for the Future Our Key Stage 3 French and Spanish curriculum is carefully designed to give students a solid foundation in language learning and to prepare them for the requirements of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc). Since a modern foreign language is an essential element of the EBacc, our aim is for every student to develop the confidence, skills, and enthusiasm to continue studying a language at GCSE.

From Year 7, students build core communication skills through engaging topics, phonics-based pronunciation work, and frequent use of the target language in class. By the end of Year 9, learners have mastered key vocabulary and grammatical structures that allow them to understand and express opinions on familiar themes. This approach ensures a smooth transition to Key Stage 4 and equips students not only for exam success but also for real-world communication and intercultural understanding.

Assessment

Students are assessed every half-term through end-of-unit tests measuring progress across the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Tasks include dictations, translations, role-plays, and short written compositions, reflecting GCSE-style assessments.

Homework

Each student receives a vocabulary and grammar booklet for personal study. Students use Active Learn weekly for reading and listening practice and complete extended writing tasks every fortnight. Every half term, they complete independent cultural tasks exploring similarities and differences with target-language countries.

 

KS4

Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11): Preparing for GCSE Success

Students have two one-hour lessons per week, plus a Period 6 revision session every fortnight. We also arrange Saturday and half-term revision sessions and morning interventions for additional support.

Students study GCSE French or Spanish (AQA) following the new 2024 MFL specification, first examined in Summer 2026.

Overview of the 2024 Specification

The new GCSE continues to assess Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing, but introduces clearer tasks, defined vocabulary lists, and a stronger focus on phonics, grammar, and communication.

Themes:

1. People and Lifestyle

2. Popular Culture

3. Communication and the World Around Us

Each theme contains engaging subtopics such as education, identity, festivals, media, travel, technology, and the environment.

Vocabulary, Grammar & Phonics

Students learn up to 1,700 core words, follow a prescribed grammar list, and practise phonics through regular read-aloud and dictation tasks. Reading and listening materials include authentic texts from French- and Spanish-speaking countries.

Assessment and Grading

· Two tiers: Foundation (Grades 1–5) and Higher (Grades 4–9).

· Speaking (25%) is internally conducted, externally marked.

· Listening, Reading, and Writing (75%) are examined at the end of Year 11.

· Students sit mock exams twice yearly.

Homework

Weekly vocabulary and grammar practice via Active Learn, regular extended writing, and speaking preparation tasks. Students also complete cultural research projects exploring target-language traditions and festivals.

How Parents Can Support Students

Parents can:

· Check “Show My Homework” weekly

· Test vocabulary at home

· Encourage speaking practice

· Use recommended online resources

· Watch films or listen to music in French or Spanish

Key Stage 5 (KS5 – A Level French and Spanish)

At Key Stage 5 MFL classes have 5 hours of weekly contact and a further minimum of one hour with the language assistant, by arrangement. Again, we are fortunate to be able to offer such support by native speakers.

Homework

At Key Stage 5, we set homework tasks that require higher independence. The main core of the A Level courses relies on cultural content We also set guided tasks to model language and higher level evaluation and critical analysis of cultural content. However, at this high level real learning takes place through individual and independent research.  We provide links to enhance students’ language and cultural skills.

Students must read and analyse a literary text and a film on their own time.

Every half term as per previous years we set independent cultural research tasks that aim to make them explore cultural similarities and differences with the target language countries and to encourage them to pursue languages in the future.

AS and A Level 

Students are sitting their real A Level language exam by the end of year 13. However, there will be an internal AS MFL exam at the end of year 12 to provide a milestone for their second year A Level exam at the end of year 13.

In these exams, there is a stronger emphasis on the cultural knowledge of the target language country. The course leads to obtaining a standalone qualification if students decide to sit their exam either in year 1 for an AS in Spanish or year 2 for an A Level in Spanish. The marks from the AS Level exam do not count towards the A Level qualification which students can choose to take or not. 

Our school currently only offers the A Level examination in the second year (in year 13).

The main content areas are as follows:

General AS and A-level French/Spanish themes and sub-themes

Aspects of Francophone / Spanish society (AS and A-level)

  • Modern and traditional values
  • Cyberspace
  • Equal rights

Artistic culture in the Francophone world (AS and A-level)

  • Modern day idols
  • French/Spanish / Spanish regional identity
  • Cultural heritage

Multiculturalism in Francophone/ Spanish society (A-level)

  • Immigration
  • Racism
  • Integration

Aspects of political life in the Francophone/ Spanish world (A-level)

  • Today's youth, tomorrow's citizens
  • Monarchies and dictatorships
  • Popular movements

Exams

AS Level:

Paper 1 - Listening, Reading and Writing. 1 hour and 40 minutes. 45% of total AS marks (90 marks).

Candidates will listen, read and respond to spoken passages from a range of contexts and sources. Questions in French/Spanish to be answered with non-verbal responses or in French/Spanish 

Summarising information from spoken and written sources, reporting key points and subject matter in speech and writing.

There will also be a translation into English.

Paper 2 - Writing. 1 hour and 30 minutes. 25% of AS (50 marks).

Either one question in French/Spanish on a set text from a choice of two questions or one question in French/Spanish on a set film from a choice of two questions (35 marks).

Translation into French/Spanish; a passage of minimum 70 words (15 marks).

Paper 3 - Speaking. 12 – 14 minutes plus 15 minutes preparation time. 30% of AS marks (50 marks).

Candidates will discuss two sub-themes (6 – 7 minutes on each) with the discussion based on a stimulus card for each sub-theme.

A Level - Second Year:

Paper 1 - Listening, Reading and Writing.  2 hours and 30 minutes. 50% of total A level marks (100 marks).

Summarising information from spoken and written sources, reporting key points and subject matter in speech and writing

  • translating an unseen passage from French/Spanish into English
  • translating an unseen passage from English into French/Spanish.

Paper 2 - Writing. 2 hours. 20% of A level (80 marks).

Either ONE/TWO questions in French/Spanish on a set text from a choice of two questions AND/OR one question in French/Spanish on a set film from a choice of two questions. 300 words (40 marks each).

Paper 3 - Speaking. 21-23 minutes (16-18 plus 5 minutes preparation time). 30% of A level marks (60 marks).

16-18 minutes plus 5 minutes preparation. The 5 minutes’ preparation time will take place in the examination room in the presence of the examiner. Students may make notes during the preparation period.

  • One Stimulus Card: 5-6 minutes.
  • Presentation of Individual Research Project: 2 minutes
  • Discussion based on Individual Research Project: 9-10 minutes

Set Texts for French

  • Molière Le Tartuffe
  • Voltaire Candide
  • Guy de Maupassant Boule de Suif et autres contes de la guerre
  • Albert Camus L’étranger
  • Françoise Sagan Bonjour tristesse
  • Claire Etcherelli Elise ou la vraie vie
  • Joseph Joffo Un sac de billes
  • Faïza Guène Kiffe kiffe demain
  • Philippe Grimbert Un secret
  • Delphine de Vigan No et moi

Set Films for French

  • Les 400 coups François Truffaut (1959)
  • Au revoir les enfants Louis Malle (1987)
  • La Haine Mathieu Kassovitz (1995)
  • L’auberge espagnole Cédric Klapisch (2002)
  • Un long dimanche de fiançailles Jean-Pierre Jeunet (2004)
  • Entre les murs Laurent Cantet (2008)

Set Texts for Spanish

  • Federico García Lorca La casa de Bernarda Alba
  • Gabriel García Márquez Crónica de una muerte anunciada
  • Laura Esquivel Como agua para chocolate
  • Ramón J. Sender Réquiem por un campesino español
  • Carlos Ruiz Zafón La sombra del viento
  • Isabel Allende La casa de los espíritus
  • Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer Rimas
  • Fernando Fernán-Gómez Las bicicletas son para el verano
  • Luis de Castresana El otro árbol de Guernica
  • Gabriel García Márquez El coronel no tiene quien le escriba

Set Films for Spanish

  • El laberinto del fauno Guillermo del Toro (2006)
  • Ocho apellidos vascos Emilio Martínez-Lázaro (2014)
  • María, llena eres de gracia Joshua Marston (2004)
  • Volver Pedro Almodóvar (2006)
  • Abel Diego Luna (2010)
  • Las 13 rosas Emilio Martínez-Lázaro (2007) 

Enrichment in MFL

The department provides multiple opportunities for students to gain first-hand knowledge of Spanish and French culture through the continuous help of native language assistants and trips. In previous years these have included: BFI MFL INSET Days, trips to the French Institute, Everyman Cinemas, and the theatre.

This is the offer for this year, however, our trips will depend on availability in the school calendar.

https://www.bfimessages.org.uk/t/y-e-mjklutk-iljuhdhujy-r/

The French/Spanish clubs take place every Wednesday after school where students develop their language skills through songs and games with native speakers. We have also run a French Day Trip for year 7 students in June every year and our Spanish students went to Spain for a week in March 2024. 

Some of the international initiatives that have taken place in school and online:

  • Starting a British Council Connecting Classrooms partnership with a French-speaking school in Morocco -which we marked with the Moroccan Themed School Lunch and Eid-al-Fitr celebration.
  • A French Institute runs a song workshop webinar for year 7.
  • The year 10 Language Ambassadors programme for students to promote multilingualism and worked on the Stephen Spender Poetry Translation prize.
  • A University of Westminster webinar for year 10 on studying languages at University and beyond.

At Key stage 5, we attend MFL INSET days at BFI on the films that are set on the French and Spanish specifications. We have also organised theatre outings to Cervantes Theater London to see La Casa de los Espíritus and we also liaise with the French Institute, Instituto Cervantes for special events.

In year 12, we normally take part in the LCLC Programme each year. The London Centre for Languages and Cultures is a collaboration between Pembroke College (University of Oxford), the Open University and the Tri-Borough. As part of this programme students attend several MFL workshops at Westminster Academy, two university days of MFL lectures at the University of Oxford and they participate in a Summer School three-day residential stay later on in June at Pembroke College, University of Oxford. All costs for this programme are covered.

Independent Learning

In general, in MFL learning in the classroom is enhanced through self-study, which are set every week, and consist of vocabulary learning, extended writing tasks (including creative writing), exam practice, and quizzes.                          

Students of Modern Foreign Languages need to be resilient language learners. Within the MFL classroom, we consistently emphasise that mistakes are to be celebrated as part of the learning process. We believe that MFL learning takes place when students decide how they move on from these errors. This open environment allows students to grow in confidence and not feel intimidated in speaking out in front of the class.  Opportunities for reflection are built in at regular intervals, and the curriculum is designed to build students’ independence. See Independent Learning links below for Spanish and French.

Spanish Useful Links

French Useful Links 

Careers

With globalization, language skills have become a useful adjunct to almost any combination of A-level subjects. Students whose main interest is language should continue to study languages at A level and beyond. Employers say they value the key skills developed by language learners – these include: communication skills, team working skills, interpersonal skills, presentation skills, problem-solving skills, organisational skills, good learning strategies, and independence.  Languages can be continued as single or combined studies at  University. It is possible to study a language in combination with almost any other subject, but particularly useful are Business Studies, Travel and Tourism, Accountancy and Law.

In our school, we promote language careers through advertising during registration on special occasions (the European Day of Languages on the 26th of September) and during key year 9, 10, 11, and Six Form assemblies. We collaborate closely with our careers coordinator Ms Averill and a whole school Culture Day was organised in July 2024 by an MFL member.

See more examples of language careers at university here: 

language and careers.pdf

For further information on language careers in Europe, ask Ms Redondo and look here: https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/domain/languages

 

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